12. Summary

The lesson focuses on the Ancient Education System of India, where it focussed on both internal and external growth. Many scholars and researchers from all over the World visited India in the pursuit of knowledge. Most of it was based on Buddhist doctrines or Vedas. Education was given in gurukuls where the students learnt physical, intellectual skills. The Jataka tales, accounts given by Xuan Zang and I-Qing give a deeper understanding of the viharas and Universities in India. The Taxila University and Nalanda University have been recently declared heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Taxila is located in present day Pakistan and has as its famous pupils, great scholars like Panini and Chanakya. The teachers of these institutions had complete freedom to decide the mode of education. The Nalanda University was famous for offering one hundred discourses, and the Chinese scholar Xuan Zang took up Yogashastra in the University. Education was free as it was sponsored by rich merchants and the society. Educationalists today are striving to achieve a balance between ancient and contemporary learning.